Arrow Hawk

An immense bird of prey that targets livestock.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The largest bird known to exist, the arrow hawk typically grows to around 8ft from beak to tail. Their wingspan easily tops 20ft. The hawk's beak is slightly hooked making it easier for the bird to tear gflesh away from their prey. They can exert enough force through their beaks to pierce plate armour.
While the hawk's feathers are mostly a dark brown it gets it's name from the vibrant red arrow that runs from a diamond on the top of it's head and along the leading edges of it's wings.

Ecology and Habitats

Arrow hawks are most commonly found in Dalthion where they are a constant threat to livestock, children, gnomes, and halflings. The hawks favour warmer climes so avoid the northern end of the continent.
They make their nests on mountain ledges or the highest point they can find with sufficient space. This is sometimes at the top of old ruins, but has occassionally proved to be the top of a tower of an inhabited castle.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Arrow hawks mainly prey on other birds, frequently targeting other predators just after the target has made a kill. If there is a shortage of other birds these hawks will go after small livestock or even small humanoids.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

These hawks are renowed for their eyesight which can pick out prey from incredible distances. Their vision is less effective close in but this has little impact on their ability to hunt as prey rarely has a chance to evade the hawk's attack.

This was written to answer the Predator prompt for Bestiary February. Other articles can be found in Tremanac Bestiary February.

Lifespan

40 years

Average Length

8ft

Largest bird?

While the legendary roc is far larger there have been no confirmed sightings of that mighty creature for so long it is now considered to be extinct. The arrow hawk is therefore considered to be the largest living bird.